Solitaire Diamond Pendant Buying Guide
A diamond solitaire pendant is a classic, timeless piece of jewellery which suits any outfit and all occasions. It is loved for its simplicity, worn for its beauty and treasured because it is enduring. The solitaire diamond pendant is for life and guaranteed to never go out of fashion.
Pendants and necklaces are popular women’s fashion accessories they range from exquisite and understated elegance to eye-blinding fashion statements, grand enough for a Hollywood style red carpet entrance.
Choosing the right design to match your style takes time and careful consideration.
Why Should I Buy A Diamond Solitaire Pendant?
There is no doubt about it, diamonds are in a league of their own when it comes to sparkle – few other gemstones can compete. And while the engagement ring is the most common diamond purchase, a diamond solitaire pendant is a gift that is perfect for any age and occasion – be it a graduation celebration, anniversary gift, or even as a gift to oneself!
Pendants, What Exactly Are They?
So what exactly is a pendant and how does it differ from a necklace? A pendant is a chain, cable or rope with a hanging piece of jewellery, for example a diamond or coloured stone. Meanwhile, a necklace consists of a set of hanging or attached jewels, for example a set of diamonds placed side by side along a chain.
The pendant can be plain and simple, consisting of a single stone; or intricate and complicated, with a range of stones. Whether the diamond is mounted alone as a solitaire setting or in an elaborate halo design, or with several stones lined up vertically, the possibilities for different designs are vast.
The most popular pendant, is the solitaire, consisting of, a single diamond hanging down, adorning the chest, adding fire and sparkle to any outfit and elegance to appearance.
The classic design, shown below, features a round brilliant cut solitaire diamond pendant 4 prong setting with sliding bale.
Points to Consider Before Purchasing your Solitaire Diamond Pendant
1) Which quality of the 4C’s is most important: Diamond Cut, Colour, Clarity or Carat?
2) What type of setting to choose: prong, bezel, or other?
3) Should the design have a sliding bale or should it be fixed?
4) Which colour & type of precious metal is best? Platinum or Gold, (yellow, white or rose etc)?
5) What shape of diamond to buy?
6) Which type of chain and length to consider?
7) Should the diamond/s be certified?
8) How should the jewellery be stored?
All good questions and we have the answers.
Whatever your reason for buying a diamond pendant, it pays to have good information about your purchase. While you don’t need to have expert gemmological knowledge, a basic understanding of the 4Cs will make shopping easier and less stressful.
The basics of how diamonds are graded and valued are based on the four Cs of Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat.
The Diamond
Diamond pendants are all about the diamond, which means picking the right type, is crucial.
Let’s consider briefly the important factors when choosing a diamond.
Diamond Cut – Most important, it’s the cut that determines the sparkle. A well-cut diamond displays a high level of brilliance and scintillation that will catch people’s attention and make the stone look lively. If your budget allows, upgrade to a better cut, you’ll find its well worth the extra expense. Very Good or Excellent cut is a must.
Diamond Colour – Next, comes diamond colour, we recommend between D-H for a white setting or I-K (or lower) for a yellow setting. White gold and platinum make the colour more noticeable, whilst yellow and rose gold will camouflage.
Diamond Clarity – This is the least important of the 4C’s, so between SI1-I1 will be fine. However you do want to ensure the inclusions are not obvious, either white/colourless and to the side of the stone as opposed to in the centre, which will reduce the sparkle and brilliance. Since a pendant is worn around the neck, it means for the most part it will be viewed from some distance away. It is for this reason that clarity is less significant and you should allow more budget for size.
Diamond Carat (Size) –How big should the diamond be? There is no correct answer; it’s really about your preference. A larger diamond carat weight will increase the price significantly. Remember, bigger is not always better; more important is the fire and sparkle of the diamond, i.e. the cut. However, if you do have a large budget and can maintain a very good or excellent cut, a larger stone will give your pendant a more prominent appearance.
Other Factors
Also consider the clothing that might be worn with the pendant. A simple top can suit a small diamond, whilst a more detailed outfit benefits from a larger stone?
If the pendant will be worn daily, perhaps select a small to medium modest sized diamond. Alternatively if it’s a pendant for special occasions, a larger more valuable diamond might be more appropriate.
